1. family and parenting
2. children

733 Valley Street
Hoover, AL 35226
205.822.0910
Newsletter April 19, 2015
www.BluffParkUMC.org
PASTORAL STAFF CHANGES
With mixed emotions, we report to the congregation of Bluff Park United Methodist Church that Rev. Peter
von Herrmann will be moving to a new church in the Birmingham area this June. Peter will become the pastor
of Center Point First UMC on June 10, 2015. Peter has been instrumental in making sure that a smooth transition took place when beloved senior pastor Rev. Reid Crotty retired and our new senior pastor, Rev. Mike Holly, arrived. Peter, Amanda, Julia and David have been a true blessing to our church and we will miss them. We
are very proud of Peter, and his ministry, and are also excited for this new chapter as he takes leadership over the
wonderful Center Point church.
On June 14th, we as a congregation will welcome our new associate pastor, Rev. Angela Martin. Angela began
her ministry at Helena UMC, but recently served as the senior pastor at Harpersville UMC. She is married to
Patrick and they have three adult children. We are excited about Angela joining our staff!
Please stay tuned for opportunities to celebrate Peter’s ministry and to wish him well as well as an opportunity to
welcome Rev. Angela Martin to Bluff Park.
Rev. Peter von Herrmann
Rev. Angela Martin
News of the Week
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION 2015 ALTAR FLOWERS
There are dates left on the 2015 Flower Calendar. Please
LUNCHEON
sign up to remember a loved one
On Sunday, April 26, at 11:00
or to commemorate a special occaam there will be a luncheon in
sion. One arrangement is $50.00;
the Fellowship Hall. All current
both $100.00. We have two arfood pantry volunteers, and those
rangements each Sunday. Dates
who want to volunteer, are invitavailable include: May 10 and 31
ed. RSVP to Theresa Richerson
and June 14, and 21. Check with
OF
at 637-4760 or theresaricherthe office for other available dates.
[email protected] by April 20. If
Please sign up in the main office or
Our Church Life Committee is organizyou need childcare please let us
call (205) 822-0910.
know.
ing a work day to help out neighbors in
COMMUNITY
DAY SERVICE
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
The Children’s Musical is
coming on Sunday, April
26th, at 5:00pm in the Chapel. They will be performing a
program titled, “King of the
Jungle.” The musical will take
the place of evening worship
that week.
Bluff Park who have spring cleaning
needs in their homes and yards and
need assistance to get them done. On,
April 25th, from 8:00-11:00 am we'll
meet at the church, receive work assignments, and then spread out in teams.
Sign-up on the website at
BluffParkUMC.org/dayofservice
or call the office.
THIS IS MY WAR, THIS IS MY
WOUND…
April 22nd, BPUMC member Peter Kirchikov will be leading the
second session of his special 2-part
MidWeek history study in the
church Parlor. This will be an exploration of the effects of war seen
through the experiences of I. Z.
Postalovsky, a military translator,
interpreter, tank crew member,
Master Sergeant and sharp shooter
from 1942-1946. He is also the
grandfather of Tosh, Maxim, and
Ilya Kirchikov.
LADIES DAY RETREAT
Do you know someone who needs help,
The Ladies Day Retreat is coming
please contact the office and let us know.
Saturday, May 2nd, from
9:00am—12:30pm. Purchase your
ticket in the Narthex on Sundays or contact Betty HottenUSHER TAGS
stein.
The usher tag box is a little empty again. If you have served
as an usher in recent weeks and inadvertently taken a tag
PIT CREW THANKS
home, please return it to the usher station. Thank you!
Lots of people were involved to make the annual church
barbeque event happen—from staff and volunteers to all of
the folks who donated door prizes and bought tickets. This IN THE HOSPITAL…
year was a big success and we look forward to all the won- Charlotte Word—Lakeshore
derful things that will be supported in the upcoming year Bill Walker—Brookdale
thanks to the money we raised.
James Hill—Children’s
T
his past Sunday, we learned that Methodism is essentially about changing
how we worship and how we live in order to experience God's grace more
fully as well as to become channels for God's love as we grow to become
more and more like Christ each day. This Sunday, we will explore the
foundation of this statement. You see, God's grace is the beginning of our faith together as Christians. God's grace works in our hearts and minds before we can even
utter the name "God." And God's grace leads us throughout our entire lives.
Rev. Tom Duley will be preaching this Sunday on God's grace and how we understand it as United Methodist Christians. We look forward to you joining us in worship as we learn how God's grace can transform us into becoming more and more
like Christ each day.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK: This week we will continue our unit on the Seven Helpers.This week we will act out a play called “Seven Were Chosen.” Seven actors will volunteer to do the play, and during the play they will choose from the rest of the kids, seven to be the seven helpers. We will give
these “Seven Helpers” their names. We will then lay hands on them and pray for them as the disciples laid hands on the seven helpers and prayed. This
activity will reinforce how momentous choosing the “Seven Helpers” were and will teach them their names.
4K GRADUATION TO THE THIRD FLOOR will be May 31st. Details soon!
CHILDREN’S CHOIR NEWS: Welcome Bethany Claire Mooney! She is Ms Rebecca’s beautiful 4lb, 4oz baby girl. Congratulates Ms Rebecca and family!
CHOIR PRACTICE will be held in the chapel this Wednesday night (4/22) from 5:50pm-7:00pm.
THE CHILDREN’S MUSICAL will be held on April 26th in the chapel at 5pm. All participants need to be there by 4pm for a final walk through. Costumes are what you might wear to go to a Safari Theme Park Field trip. Blue Jean or Khaki long pants or shorts. Colored t-shirts. Visors, sunglasses, hats,
bandanas (any combination there of) If you like bandanas but might not have one, Ms. Melissa has some left over from Bible School.
4TH/5TH FELLOWSHIP The end of the year is fast approaching. There will be an end of the year party on April 29th 6:30-7:30 on the playground.
Word has it ice-cream will be involved. All current 4th and 5th graders will be invited.
MAY 6TH 5:50pm-6:25pm we will have a special cross over event for 3rd/4th/and 5th. Charlotte McCrary will be having a special cooking class just for
them. After we will head down to Holy Ground to have mid-week with the youth. All 5th Graders (AKA Rising 6th Graders) can start attending youth
activities on May 31st!
OFF CAMPUS MISSION PROJECT- The off-campus mission project has been cancelled. We will reschedule another for the Fall.
VBS-EVEREST IS COMING! Let’s get excited!! VBS is July 13th-17th and will be 8:30am-12:30pm. NEW this year- Registration will be online ONLY.
Go to BluffParkumc.org/VBS2015 to register! Cost is $10 per child for up to two children. Three or more children is just a flat $25 family rate. Payment
is due the first day of the event. Thank you to Sarah Chavez and Lori Beasley for being directors this year! Recruitment for volunteers has already begun.
Please contact [email protected] to sign up. We need teachers, team leaders, snack helpers, sign-in/out help, decorating help, prep help... We have a
job for everyone and every schedule! Go to http://vols.pt/fNszBT to sign up.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 19
April 22
April 22
April 25
Second Week of the "Seven Helpers"
Mid Week
Children’s Choir 5:50-7:00 in the Chapel
Church Wide Mission Project
April 26 Children's Musical 5pm
April 29 Mid-week end of year festivities
May 6
3rd/4th/5th crossover event
May 6
Elementary Mid-Week on Holy Ground
July 13-17 VBS "Everest"
STUDENT MINISTRY
DOWNLOAD OUR NEW MOBILE PHONE APP - YOUTH WING. We now have a new tool for parents and students to stay informed about what's going on and connect to each other. Just go to your phone's app store and search for Youth Wing. You'll be able to
scroll through youth events up to six months in advance and instantly get all the details you need without searching for old emails or newsletters. Plus you can check out our social presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. There are still edits to be made to improve this, so
be patient. Eventually we'll have weekly summer devotions for students who are traveling, PLUS sign up and payment links. Youth Wing is
available for FREE on both iOS/Apple and Android/Google devices such as phones and tablets.)
EVENING OF PRAISE & WORSHIP. Our student worship team will be on tour in early June. We're very excited and proud of them
because they have been asked to provide the music for a three-day student ministry event in Blount County called "Beach Reach". Each day,
students from the community will do service projects and then gather at Spring Valley Beach Water Park for worship and a message. To
help prepare and raise money for the tour, we hope you will join us This coming Sunday at 5pm in the Chapel. Our students will perform
music from the tour and ask for donations. As well, you can pre-order tour shirts. We hope to see you there!
SAVE THESE DATES: Evening of Worship, April 19, Senior Recognition Sunday, May 17, Band Tour: Sunday-Wednesday, June 7-10, MS Mission Trip: Sunday-Friday, June 21-26, ASP Mission Trip: Sunday-Saturday, July 5-11, Beach Retreat: Friday-Monday, July 31-Aug 3.
THIS WEEK
Sunday, April 19, 10:00am
Sunday School in the Youth Wing
Sunday, April 19, 5:00pm
Evening of Praise & Worship in the Chapel
Sunday, April 19, 6:00pm
Snack Supper in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 22, 4:30pm
Holy Ground Team Rehearsal
Wednesday, April 22, 5:30pm
Hang Out Time in the Youth Wing & Gym
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30pm
Holy Ground Worship (with the message from Amanda Alldredge)
Sunday, April 26, 10:00am
Sunday School in the Youth Wing
Sunday, April 26, 4:30pm
Worship Team Rehearsal
Sunday, April 26, 6:00pm
Snack Supper in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 26, 6:30pm
FREE Goodies Ice Cream Party!
SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY
UPCOMING EVENTS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
THURSDAY APRIL 23
TUESDAY APRIL 28
SATURDAY MAY 2
TUESDAY MAY 12
SAT-SUN JUNE 6-7
TUESDAY JULY 14
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5
COOKING CLASS with Sue Ann Jenning, The Pampered Chef. 6:00-7:00pm.
SHEPHERD’S CENTER – Jerry Armor, Author, “A Home For Wayward Boys”.
Everyone invited.
MYSTERY LUNCHEON – 10-3:00pm – call Betty.
LADIES DAY RETREAT – Breakfast Brunch and Tablescapes. Tickets, $10.00, on
sale each week. Special guest – Jamie Davis, Doreen Duley, Becky Walker and
Delores Hydock.
CROSSVILL TN – Cumberland Playhouse – “Ring-of-Fire” Johnny Cash, the Man-in
-Black, musical. Cost: $50.00 ticket/gas donation. Lunch on your own. Call Betty.
SUNDAY SCHOOL with Jimmy Carter, our 39th President Plains, Ga. Over-night
cost: $220.00. Tour Bus.
TUPELO, MS – Elvis’s Hometown Tour. Church, School, Hardware Store, Auto
Museum and much more. Cost: $80.00pp includes Breakfast Sandwich, Coffee, all
Admission Tickets,Tour Guide, Lunch, Tour Bus.
MACKINAC CITY AND ISLAND – A week of Fun, Excitement, Tours, Good
Food, Ferry Rides, and lots and lots of Laughter. Cost: $800.00-900.00pp. Call Betty.
X
X
Bluff Park United Methodist Church
733 Valley Street
Hoover, AL 35226
(205) 822-0910
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
AUTO
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PERMIT NO. 1816
Address Service Requested
Pastors
Mike Holly, [email protected], ext. 104
Peter von Herrmann, [email protected], ext. 107
Tom Duley, [email protected], ext. 112
Director of Senior Ministries, ext. 103
Betty Hottenstein, [email protected]
Director of Student Ministries, ext. 118
Bart Styes, [email protected]
Financial Manager, ext. 101
Joe Pitard, [email protected]
Director of Communications and Media, ext. 119
Andrew Seltz, [email protected]
Secretary, ext. 111
Catherine Ward, [email protected]
Director of Worship Music,
Lonnie Parsons
Organist,
Jamie Davis
Preschool Director,
Tracy Estes, [email protected]
The Week of April 19—April 25
Sunday, April 19 Sunday
8:30 am-12:30 pm Directory Pick-Up
8:45 am
Morning Worship Service
9:45 am
Sunday School
11:00 am
Morning Worship Service
7:00 pm
ISN’T Bible Study
Monday, April 20
7:00 am
Becky Walker’s Bible Study
9:00 am
Men’s Bible Study
10:00 am
Prayer Shawl
5:30 pm
Permanent Endowment
Committee
Tuesday, April 21
6:30 pm
Building Committee
Wednesday, April 22
4:30 pm
Pastors’ Bible Study
5:00-6:30pm
Dinner
5:30 pm
Disciple 1
6:00 pm
Cooking Class
6:00 pm
Men’s Chorus
6:30 pm
Choir
Thursday, April 23
9:30 am
Shepherd’s Center
Friday, April 24
5:00 pm
Fisherman Class Dinner
Saturday, April 25
8:00 am
Community Day of Service
SUNDAY, April 19, 2015
8:45am and 11:00am Morning Worship
“METHODISM: It All Starts with Grace
(Scripture - 1 Peter 1:3-9)
Rev. Tom Duley
5:00pm Evening Worship Service
Youth-Led Worship
Lectionary Scripture Readings
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
SERVING SUNDAY
Ushers
8:45 Lawson 11:00 Davis
Cross
8:45 Caroline Marshall 11:00 Rory Edwards
Acolytes
8:45 Vivi Shanlever 11:00 Avery Edwards
Greeters: Covenant
Meals on Wheels April 22: McCallum
Food Pantry May 6: Becky McCrary
MIDWEEK MENU: April 22nd
Chicken casserole, green beans, baked chicken, baked potato, and salad bar. Chicken fingers for the kids.
Last Week’s Record
April 12, 2015
Children
Morning/Evening Worship
Operating Receipts
Received to Date
New Members in 2015
77
462/15
$29,117.82
$434,251.66
9
LIVING OUR LEGACY
January 1, 2013—December 31, 2015
Amount Pledged
$1,083,250.00
Received Last Week
$1,330.33
Received to Date
$738,113.20
BLUFF PARK UNITED
METHODIST COLUMBARIUM
Information Sheets in Narthex and Church Office
BPUMC FOOD PANTRY
1st Wednesday each month
We are serving 200+ families a month.
We appreciate all donations!
VALET PARKING
Every Sunday morning! Drive to the covered entrance near the nursery and Fellowship Hall.